Archive for the 'Brendan Perry' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. makes a teeth-gritting face in Indio. Photo: David Hall, for the Register.

Sunday may be the day when even the most seasoned Coachella-goers run on fumes, especially with temps reaching into the mid-90s. But the force of several strong performances left me thinking: "If the music is this good, keep it coming."

At the start of the final rundown, about half past noon, Little Green Cars appeared in the Gobi tent for a seven-song set pitched somewhere amid the alt-folk of the Lumineers, the Civil Wars and Dawes. The Dublin quintet spun lush harmonies, showed off two gifted lead singers and mixed up complementary clean and distorted guitars in a way that made both sound necessary. The group ended its 30-minute run with "The John Wayne," a heartfelt tale of unrequited love wrapped in rich vocals.

When I first heard earlier this year that the Three O'Clock would reunite for this Coachella, I wondered if it was the same band I used to see at area clubs in the early '80s. Fast forward to Sunday afternoon and there I was watching almost the original quartet serving up its stew of '60s greats like the Zombies, the Byrds and mid-era Beatles.

• Black Country Communion -- Masterful guitarist Joe Bonamassa, who electrified O.C. audiences four months ago, returns tonight to City National Grove of Anaheim, this time as part of this acclaimed heavy-rock supergroup featuring Deep Purple bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes, drummer and Zeppelin torch-bearer Jason Bonham and one-time Dream Theater member Derek Sherinian (“the Caligula of keyboards,” as Alice Cooper has called him). The quartet, whose second album arrives Tuesday, plays Friday, June 10, at the Grove, at 2200 E. Katella Ave. Tickets are $45 for general admission, $60 for pit access.

• John Prine & Loudon Wainwright III -- The author of “Hello in There” (among dozens of other gems) doesn't come around as often as Rufus' dad, but the opportunity to enjoy both 64-year-old singer-songwriters in a single evening is a rare treat. See them Friday at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, 842 S. Broadway. Tickets are $44.50-$56.50. Also catch Prine Saturday night, with Peter Case opening, at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, $59. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com, goldenvoice.com.

• R. Kelly -- The enduring R&B star has toned down the hyper-sexualized come-ons with his 10th album, December's retro-leaning Love Letter, the emphasis on his powerful vocals helping to garner some of the best reviews of his career. But will his live shows this weekend in Los Angeles also be gentler, PG-rated affairs? Find out when he performs Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 7 at Nokia Theatre, 777 Chick Hearn Court, in the downtown L.A. Live plaza. Oakland-born Keyshia Cole (touting her fourth album, Calling All Hearts) and Marsha Ambrosius (aka half of Floetry) will open both shows. Tickets are $49.50-$119.50. 800-745-3000. ticketmaster.com.

• Dispatch -- Phish isn't the only celebrated jam band to emerge from Vermont; since the mid-'90s this trio -- guitarist Chad Urmston, bassist Pete Francis and drummer Brad Corrigan, all of whom contribute vocals -- has built a cult-like following for its eclectic mix of reggae, rock, funk, flamenco and more. After several years away, the East Coast phenomenon is finally returning to Southern California for a performance Sunday night at 7 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, 2701 N. Vermont Ave. Stephen Marley opens. Tickets are $40.

Add two more names to the list of Coachella acts who now have gigs either just before or soon after next month's 12th festival, April 15-17.

These are both post-event: Lauryn Hill -- pardon me, it's Ms. Lauryn Hill these days -- who appears the first day, will also play the Monday after, April 18, at Club Nokia. Tickets, $55-$90, go on sale Friday, March 18, at 10 a.m.

Much later, another Day 1 attraction, L.A. Celtic favorite Flogging Molly, will headline at the Fox Theater in Pomona, on June 3. By that time, the band's sixth album, Speed of Darkness, should be well-devoured by fans (it's due May 24). Tickets -- $32.50 in advance, $35 day of show, $45 for VIP -- are on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

Panic at the Disco -- now a two-man contraption carrying on with vocalist Brendon Urie but without chief lyricist Ryan Ross -- have readied its third album and first in three years, Vices & Virtues, which arrives next week. Find out whether Panic 2.0 is any better live at two SoCal shows: June 19 at House of Blues San Diego, $22.50-$37.50, and June 21 at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, $25. Opening acts: fun. and Funeral Party. Tickets for both shows are on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.